Chapter 14 — The Mother-in-Law

Perhaps recalling the past, her eyes grew gentler still. "You—whatever is to become of you? A mother yourself, and still so rash and impulsive!" Then her expression grew grave. "If you are willing to part with him, what objection could I have? Only it is not fitting for the two of us women to settle such a thing here. You must ask your husband and your father-in-law what they think."

"Sister!" Her mother's eyes lit up. "My only fear is that Yu would be wronged!"

Her mother's undisguised delight cheered her mother-in-law as well. She smiled and said, "The Dou family are scholars and poets—it is Shouyuan I fear would be wronged."

"Not at all, not at all!" her mother said, and turning back into the room, fetched a jade pendant and handed it to her mother-in-law. "Sister, this is an heirloom of the Zhao family—you know it well. I give it to Yu."

"This..." Her mother-in-law neither dared take it nor dared refuse.

Her mother smiled. "If the two children are fated, then we shall both be glad. If not, I am still Yu's aunt!"

Her mother-in-law smiled faintly. After a moment's thought, she slipped a mutton-fat jade bracelet from her wrist. "This was given to me by my father when I married. I give it to Shouyuan." She took the jade pendant.

Her mother was radiant with joy, and placed the jade bracelet solemnly against her breast.

Dou Yan felt her nose sting, and then sensed someone tugging at her clothes.

"What are they doing?" came Wei Fan's voice from behind her.

Dou Yan snatched her hem back from his hand. "I don't know!" She left him behind and headed for the heated kang.

Wei Fan gaped, and only after a long moment came to his senses. He pattered after her, dashing ahead to climb onto the kang first.

Dou Yan shot him a glance, then leaned back against the big bolster and absentmindedly nibbled a strip of candied winter melon.

Four days and three nights already?

Every detail stood out clear and vivid before her eyes...

Was this a dream?

If it was not a dream, then where was she?

Dou Chi enjoyed this state of losing control—it was maddening, and yet she was unwilling to leave this dream.

In any case, even if it was a dream, helping her mother defeat Wang Shuying could at least console her a little.

Wei Fan stared at Dou Yan without blinking.

Dou Yan did not spare him a single glance.

His face flushed crimson. "Is this your house?"

Dou Yan gave a vague "Mm," and went on with her own thoughts.

In the Jining Marquis's household, Wei Fan was the center of everything. Cold-shouldered for the first time, he was indignant. "The tea in your house is truly awful!" he cried.

Yu the nurse was mortified with shame.

Dou Yan lifted her eyes and gave him a light glance. "Then you needn't drink it!"

"You...!" Wei Fan's little face went red and then pale with fury. "The food in your house is awful too!" he shouted.

Dou Yan could not be bothered with him. "Tuo Niang," she called, "carry me to the writing desk!"

If she went out now, given how much her mother valued Wei Fan, she would surely think that Dou Yan did not get along with him, that it was Dou Yan who had neglected him. Yet she was unwilling to humble herself and endure his unreasonable tantrums. Better to keep apart—once the grown-ups had finished talking, they would naturally come looking for them.

It was nearly time for the midday meal anyway; even if Wei Fan threw a fit, he would not carry on for long.

Sure enough, before a cup of tea had passed—just as Wei Fan was glaring at her like a fighting cock—Hanxiao came in to invite them to the flower hall for the meal.

Dou Yan promptly slipped away with Hanxiao.

Her grandfather and father had likely already been informed; Wei Fan was carried off to the main hall by a young servant.

Dou Yan ate her midday meal at ease.

The good habits she had cultivated made her movements as natural and graceful as flowing clouds and water.

Her mother-in-law watched and nodded repeatedly. "Worthy of being Dou Juan's daughter."

Her mother was somewhat puzzled, but buoyed by this praise, she cast her lingering doubts to the back of her mind.

After the meal, Wei Fan was carried back by a servant boy, laden with a great pile of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

Dou Fan turned it over silently in her mind.

Why were they still not leaving?

One way or another, she had to find a way to make Wang Shuying sign the deed of sale!

If her father hardened his heart and kept Wang Shuying settled outside the household, then three years later, when Wang Xingyi was restored to office, it would be even more trouble.

But how was she to persuade her mother?

She frowned, turning it over and over, and could find no decent way at all.

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I have a question I would like to discuss with everyone here.

Regarding the exile of convicted officials: generally speaking, unless the case involves treason, the womenfolk of the family are not implicated. So although Wang Xingyi was exiled, his family could still live as usual; moreover, out of consideration for scholars, the court even permitted the relatives or children of an exile to attend him in the place of exile and see to his daily needs, provided they bore the expenses themselves. There were even cases in which an exile whose parents were advanced in years and had no kin to support them was sometimes excused from exile altogether.

Let no one misunderstand and think Wang Shuying was sold off by the government; the crime Wang Xingyi committed was no great matter of treason.

O(∩_∩)O~

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